Chapter 191 191

Chapter 191 191
Asher reached Xander’s territory before noon.
The moment he crossed the borders, a heavy feeling settled inside his chest.
The once beautiful pack looked devastated.
Smoke still lingered in the air from the destroyed homes. Burned wood and blood mixed together into a suffocating scent that spread across the territory. Several houses near the western side had completely collapsed, while others remained half destroyed.
The screams of the injured echoed from every direction.
Women cried while trying to tend to wounded soldiers. Children clung to their elders in fear. Some warriors carried bodies wrapped in cloth toward the center of the pack for burial preparations.
The atmosphere was drowning in grief and panic.
Asher slowly looked around, stunned by the destruction.
He had imagined an attack.
But not this.
Not something this brutal.
For the first time, guilt quietly crept into his mind.
Perhaps he should have acted sooner.
Perhaps he should have helped Xander before things reached this stage.
If they had united earlier instead of wasting years hating each other, maybe this could have been prevented.
Asher clenched his jaw tightly.
Now was not the time for regret.
He immediately began searching for Xander among the chaos.
Warriors recognized him instantly, and many of them froze in shock seeing the Alpha of the rival pack standing there. But surprisingly, no one stopped him.
Perhaps the attack had shattered old hatred for now.
Or perhaps desperation had become greater than pride.
Asher finally found Xander near the destroyed entrance of the mansion.
His clothes were stained with blood.
Cuts covered his arms and face, and several dead rogues surrounded the area near him. It was obvious Xander had fought personally to protect the mansion and his people.
But despite standing alive, he looked utterly broken.
His normally composed expression had disappeared completely.
His eyes were red.
Filled with exhaustion, grief, and helpless rage.
Asher understood immediately.
Xander blamed himself.
Xander stood silently while watching injured members of his pack being carried away. His fists remained clenched tightly at his sides.
For the first time since Asher had known him…
He looked defeated.
Slowly, Asher walked toward him.
Without saying anything immediately, he placed a hand on Xander’s shoulder.
Xander looked at him.
There was no hostility in his eyes now.
Only emptiness.
As though he had lost everything overnight.
Asher’s voice lowered slightly.
“You didn’t lose yet.”
Those simple words somehow broke through the storm inside Xander’s mind.
Xander let out a bitter laugh under his breath before shaking his head.
“I should’ve been more careful.”
His voice sounded rough.
“I underestimated them.”
Asher glanced around the ruined territory again before answering calmly.
“Sarmon’s attack was inevitable.”
Xander looked at him silently.
Asher continued.
“You can blame yourself later. Right now, we need to think about stopping this before it gets worse.”
The practical firmness in his tone slowly brought Xander back to reality.
Because Asher was right.
This was only the beginning.
If Sarmon managed to invade once, he would attack again.
And next time, it could become far worse.
Just then, several of Xander’s betas arrived near them. The moment they saw Asher standing beside Xander, visible shock crossed their faces.
None of them had expected this.
After years of rivalry…
After preparing for war against each other…
Asher had still come.
Not to mock them.
Not to celebrate their weakness.
But to help.
For several seconds, none of them spoke.
Then Asher finally looked toward them.
“Let’s not waste any more time,” he said firmly. “We need to think about possible solutions.”
His calm authority immediately shifted the atmosphere.
Even Xander’s warriors straightened slightly hearing his words.
Because panic alone would destroy them faster than Sarmon ever could.
One of the betas stepped forward quickly.
“We tracked some of their movements toward the western forest,” he explained. “But they disappeared before sunrise.”
Another added anxiously,
“They attacked in groups. Fast and organized. They knew exactly where to strike.”
Asher’s expression darkened.
That confirmed his suspicions.
This was not some mindless rogue attack.
Sarmon was strategic.
Careful.
Experienced.
Which made him far more dangerous.
Xander finally spoke again, his voice steadier now.
“They were testing us.”
Everyone turned toward him.
“This wasn’t their full strength.”
Silence followed his words.
Because deep down, everyone realized he was probably right.
The attack had caused devastation already, yet the rogues retreated quickly instead of attempting complete domination.
It felt intentional.
As though they wanted fear to spread first.
Asher crossed his arms thoughtfully.
“Then we prepare before they return.”
Xander looked at him carefully.
“You’re still willing to help?”
Asher met his eyes directly.
“This isn’t about our rivalry anymore.”
For a brief moment, something shifted between them.
Years of hatred did not disappear instantly.
But respect quietly emerged in its place.
Because both finally understood the truth.
If they continued standing divided, Sarmon would destroy them one after another.
And somewhere far away, Alyna’s warning echoed clearly in both their minds.